Prodia walked through the gardens of the viscount’s mansion together with Sharack.

As a brief conversation continued, suddenly Sharack deeply bowed his head towards her.

“I have no face. I apologize for lying all this time, teacher!”

Prodia sighed inwardly.

How many more times would he apologize?

No need for that.

‘I have a pile of matters to discuss with Ed in the office.’

Thinking that she needed to quickly conclude this conversation, Prodia began to console him.

“You don’t have to apologize anymore. I also had secrets from Sharack. From now on, let’s be honest with each other.”

“Ugh… Thank you for understanding, teacher.”

However, there was still something important she had to say to her.

“And… thank you for allowing me to stay here. Honestly, after hearing what I said, I thought you would immediately reject me.”

Prodia’s reaction was incomprehensible.

“Why? There wasn’t anything particularly problematic in the stories you told.”

Contrary to Prodia’s indifferent response, Sharack was even more surprised.

“Well, anyway, I’m the one who defied orders and made decisions on my own. Besides, I left the organization.”
Perhaps, on the day he submitted his leave request to the military, it seemed like he received a lot of criticism.

Well, that’s understandable.

After all, it’s a military where disobedience to orders is akin to shouting for death.

But Prodia’s perspective was different.

“So what? It wasn’t with bad intentions. It was to uphold one’s beliefs.”

“Ah…”

And that too, from the desire to protect the empire.

Of course, it would be a path Prodia’s values would never choose, but as a contractor, it was different.

How important it is to have a clear dream.

“So stop worrying now and focus on your goal. As I mentioned, I’ll help you from behind.”

Upon hearing this, Sharack suddenly stood still.

“Teacher, do you think I’m crazy? I gave up a secure position to walk the path everyone says is wrong, to secure a future for myself.”

As Sharack spoke like this, his eyes seemed like they would start crying at any moment.

Perhaps he came this far by hearing such words many times.

But Prodia shook her head.

“I don’t think you’re crazy at all.”

Rather, she was grateful.

If you hadn’t left the navy, we wouldn’t have met.

“I actually think it’s impressive.”

This was sincere too.

Prodia generally preferred people who worked hard with clear goals.

But there was no reason to disdain someone who might undermine her own business.

So Prodia smiled brightly at Sharack.

There was no hidden meaning.

Just encouragement to work hard and focus on the competition.

But what she overlooked was the heart of this man.

Thump.

Seeing her smile, Sharack seemed to have received a blow to the head.

In fact, during his time away from the navy and the South, he felt loneliness for the first time.

A lonely investigation that was not recognized by anyone continued.

Sometimes, he even doubted if his judgment was wrong.

Of course, Sharack was still surrounded by many people.

But that was because they remembered him from the cheerful days.

Gradually, conversations with them felt superficial.

The connections he had built up until now seemed like fragile sandcastles.

But now, for the first time, someone appeared who truly understood him.

And she even offered to walk alongside him.

What is this feeling, camaraderie?

At that moment, Prodia, who had gone ahead, called out to Sharack from a distance.

“What are you doing, Sharack? Let’s go back.”

Behind that pretty figure, the sunlight scattered brilliantly.

At that moment, Sharack realized.

This was not something like camaraderie.

This fluttering feeling in his chest was new.

Unlike others, Sharack wasn’t someone who pondered over his own feelings.

Prodia Duser.

He began to think that he wanted to know more about this woman.
With a brilliant smile, he looked down at Prodia.

Bathed in sunlight, he truly shone like the sun.

After a while, Sharack returned to the training room where three men were waiting.

And he muttered like this.

“Prodia seems really… like a good person.”

Sharack’s face, saying this, was flushed.

At the same time, Ed, who was drinking tea, spewed everything out of his mouth.

“Pfft!”

“Are you okay, Ed!”

Surprised, Sharack rushed to Ed and thrust his sleeve into his mouth.

“What the hell is going on? First, wipe it with this!”

In response to this, Ed stared blankly at Sharack.

It’s a white blouse.

But what if you just let it go so easily, you good-natured guy.

Wiping Ed’s mouth with his sleeve, Sharack continued talking.

“Anyway, since we promised to tell everything without hiding from now on, I’ll confess. I became interested in Prodia. I want to know more about her.”

There was a moment of silence.

The situation that everyone was worried about had really come.

Luca, looking displeased towards Sharack, said.

“Surely you’re not thinking of dating Prodia? That would be a hindrance to the competition and cause a lot of trouble.”